Eric Mennen and UA teammate Evan Bush were en route to Decatur on Friday from Connecticut, where they were playing summer league baseball for Middletown (Conn.) in the New England Collegiate Summer League.

Mark Mennen's body was found about 8:15 p.m. in about 20 feet of water, more than 50 feet from shore, said Deputy Fire Chief Jerry Bergdale.

Dave Julsen, 26, of Mason City, told the Des Moines Register that he was fishing nearby when he saw Mennen struggling in the water. He said he heard Mennen scream for help two times.

"I ran, dropped my stuff on shore," Julsen said. "Then I lost sight of him. I didn't know what to do."

Jerry Hermann, of Mason City, called police from a nearby convenience store after he drove by and saw Julsen yelling for help.

Michael Thiese, of Mason City, was picnicking with his daughter and saw Mennen swimming.

"To be honest, I didn't see anything wrong until I could see panic on the other shore, and then suddenly the police were there, and I thought to myself, ŽOh, no.'"

Mennen went to the quarry to fish with his father, his daughter, Keri, told The Decatur Daily. He grew up in Mason City and the quarry was a familiar fishing hole.

"His mother had just had knee surgery and he went up there to help take care of them. She was resting, so he and his father decided to go fishing," Keri Mennen said.

Eric Mennen, a sophomore lefthander out of Austin High School, appeared in five games for Alabama in 2003, compiling a 1-0 record and a 7.04 ERA. He pitched six innings in the Tide's NCAA regional loss to Texas A&M, allowing four runs.

Family members said the funeral would be held in Iowa, but arrangements were not finalized on Friday.